Myrtle Beach area aviation company AvCraft to expand, hire 150 new employees

Dec. 29--AvCraft Technical Services, a local aviation maintenance and repair company, announced Thursday that it has committed to expand and add 150 jobs, the first major job announcement in Horry County in years.

AvCraft is the first company to receive new economic development incentives from Horry County, in addition to incentives from the S.C. Department of Commerce. Horry County Council approved $100,000 in closing fund incentives for the company earlier this month.

AvCraft moved to the area in 2004 and leases land near the Myrtle Beach International Airport from Horry County, which approved a new lease for the company earlier this year.

"It's a wonderful company that is growing," said Brad Lofton, the CEO of the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corp., which is charged with bringing new jobs to the county. "We're just proud. They could have located or expanded anywhere in the country... and they chose to be here in Myrtle Beach."

The announcement should also help the EDC get the word out that Horry County is a great place to do business, especially in the aviation industry, one of the targeted sectors, he said.

"It just gives us more momentum and credibility that we are becoming an emerging hub for aviation-related jobs," Lofton said.

In addition to hiring 150 more employees, AvCraft will also spend about $1 million on equipment and the new lease, he said. The new jobs will pay significantly above the average county wage, which should help boost the average, Lofton said.

AvCraft will have to meet the 150 employee hiring goal within the next three to five years to keep the incentive money, he said.

The majority of the jobs will be technically skilled positions, with some administrative and supportive positions also available. To apply go to the company's website www.avcraft.com.

Check back on www.myrtlebeachonline.com and read Friday's print edition of The Sun News for more details.

Contact ADVA SALDINGER at 626-0317.

Copyright 2011 - The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.